REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. - When Jovanny Jadacki restocks shelves at Snyder’s Candy in Rehoboth Beach, he can’t help but worry about if a day comes where he won’t be able to.
“To be honest, it’s going to really cost us a lot of money,” said Jadacki. “It’s going to be a lot harder just to be able to obtain — or even really be able to keep — the business.”
President Donald Trump has said the United States will put at least a 10 percent tariff on all goods coming into the country.
Jadacki says new tariffs could threaten the shop’s survival, with at least 70% of its products imported from other countries.
“Items such as Swedish candy, Dubai chocolate, or licorice — that’s a majority of the shop,” he said.
That variety of exotic treats is part of what makes Snyder’s a destination for candy lovers. Without it, Jadacki worries customers might look elsewhere.
“If we lose the chance to provide that, people might stop coming in. They could say, ‘Let’s just go to Walmart, let’s go somewhere else.’”
At Back Porch Café in Rehoboth Beach, owner Dmitry Shubich is bracing for higher costs on coffee, the key ingredient in their popular flaming’ coffee drink.
“Especially our coffee beans, which are quite expensive,” said Shubich. “We’re buying them in bulk. It will affect us, and we may have to raise prices. We don’t know yet.”
As the cost of importing goods climbs, small business owners say they’re being forced to consider tough decisions — with tariffs leaving sweet businesses sour, and coffee prices that could wake up your wallet.